Shir Hadash Synagogue is only weeks away from completing an 18-year journey to find a permanent home for the congregation. The building, which is located at 200 W. Dundee Road in Wheeling, is expected to open its doors on Sunday, August 18, with a dedication ceremony open to the public.

“Many of our families have been members since the founding of the congregation 18 years ago and have watched Shir Hadash evolve into the family that it is today,” Building Operations Committee Chair Marc Fargotstein said. “What you are seeing realized is not just the dreams of our current members but also the future of this congregation for decades to come.”

Fargotstein is very optimistic about the progress being made on making sure the building is ready for its expected date.

“We are at the half way point of phase 1 of the retrofit” Fargostein said. “We are on target for the August 1 completion date, which will give us plenty of time to get ready for the Dedication on August 18.” Renovations to date include reconfiguring office space into classrooms, bringing the building up to code, and converting the auditorium into a sanctuary.

Along with the overall reconstruction of the building to fit the synagogue, the interior changes being made seem to be going smoothly as well.

“The woodwork for the ark has begun to arrive for final assembly. The Bima itself is complete and looks spectacular. The classrooms have all been painted with one wall in each classroom painted with one of the primary colors of the Shir Hadash logo. The framing of the doors has begun and will be completed on schedule as well as the remainder of the project” said Fargotstein.

Shir Hadash members are making an effort to get to know the community around the synagogue. The people of Wheeling seem to be returning the favor. “Everyone in the community that we meet with says the same thing: ‘Welcome to Wheeling.’ I believe that our congregation is in for an amazing experience” Fargotstein said.

The synagogue’s rabbi, Eitan Weiner-Kaplow, noted that the search for a home had many failures over the years. “Many synagogue leaders and building committees have worked so hard over the years to find us a home,” Weiner-Kaplow said. “Yet, due to many reasons, including cost, zoning, location, and suitability, nothing came through.”

While a lot has been accomplished with the construction of the building, there are a few more options that are up for consideration by the committee.

“The Building Operations Committee will meet after the dedication and review our wish list of future renovations that we would like to see take place in our synagogue” said Fargotstein. “Among the upgrades being considered are replacement of the HVAC system, renovation of the kitchen/dining room area, flooring and much, much more.”

“There is an expression in Yiddish, ‘beshert,’” said Weiner-Kaplow, “which means when something is meant to be,” he said. “Well, looking back on the long search, we see that this building was worth waiting for. It is terrific in every way. It is our beshert.”

Shir Hadash Synagogue attracts members from Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights and Palatine as well as Chicago, Skokie, Park Ridge, Barrington, and Gurnee. The religious school is currently enrolling students for the fall of 2013. For more information, call (847) 498-8218 or go to www.shir-hadash.org.